Tag Archives: cincinnati bengals

NFL

Green, Harold

Card: Action Packed 1992, Action Packed Rookies 1990
Acquired: TTM 1993, C/o The Cincinnati Bengals

Harold Green was selected in the second round of the 1990 draft by the Bengals, who were concerned about Ickey Woods rehabilitation from a knee injury. A slashing style runner with good hands, Green was an imposing player from South Carolina.  He played 6 years for the Bengals, 1 for the Rams, and 2 for the Atlanta Falcons before retiring in 1998.

In his best year in 1992, Green ran for over 1,000 yards and was named to the Pro Bowl. In 1993 the Bengals offensive line was decimated, and the offense was criticized for being predictable under second year head coach Dave Shula.  Harold’s statistics and average per carry nosedived  from 4.4 to 2.7. Harold’s role in the Bengals offense would continue to decline until his departure in 1996, after the team drafted cursed Ki-Jana Carter in 1995 number 1 overall.  Green during his tenure with the Rams won the team’s ‘Carl Ekern Spirit of the Game Award’ and it was his last modestly productive season, before toiling away his final one and a half seasons on the Atlanta Falcons whom he played for in Superbowl XXXIII. Harold was inducted into the South Carolina 100th Anniversary Team in 1992, and has worked with South Carolina’s athletic department. He owns two car dealerships.

G/Gs 124/81   Att 1151   Yds  4365   Avg 3.8   Td 13   Lg 75t  |
Rec  213    Yds  1644    Avg  7.7    Td  4    Lg  47

 

WLAF

Norseth, Mike

Cards: Ultimate WLAF 1991, Wild Card WLAF 1992.
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o  home
Sent: 6/11  Received: 6/18  (7 days)

Mike Norseth played for Kansas during the mid-eighties and could flat out throw the rock, being named the MVP of the 1986 Blue Gray game. Unfortunately being drafted by the Browns in the 7th round after Bernie Kosar took the reins, meant Norseth would ride the bench. He signed with the Bengals and played in one game, rushing for 5 yards but never moved into the starting role in stops in additional cities in Houston or Green Bay.

In 1992, Mike was drafted by the Birmingham Fire and was named starter after the departure of Brent Pease to the Knights. Mike saw starting action in 10 contests but rarely had time to settle and was forced to scramble regularly.  Regardless he would still lead the Birmingham fire to their best record at 7-2-1 and the team into the playoffs for its second season.

Currently Mike resides in Sandy, Utah does announcing for KU games.  He also sits on the board of directors for the Boomer Esiason Foundation. I got Norseth’s autograph on his cards after locating his home address, in a short 7 days.

Games 10   Att 259     Comp 144   Pct 55.5      Yds 1634       Td 4      Int  12      Rat 60.5

NFL, WLAF

Mitchell, Scott

Cards: Action Packed 1990, Score 1990, Ultimate WLAF 1991, Wild Card WLAF 1992.
Acquired: In Person, 1992. San Antonio Riders v. Orlando Thunder. TTM 2010, c/o  Springville High School, UT.
Sent:  3/12   Received: 7/10  (120 days)

Scott Mitchell was drafted by the Dolphins in the 4th round of the 1990 draft from Utah. Mitchell would ride the Dolphins bench for the next three seasons, preparing to be the heir to Dan Marino.  He was loaned to the WLAF in 1992 in an attempt by both the NFL and the WLAF to drum up the talent of the league by showcasing young and promising talent, while providing them ‘game live’ experience. (The Thunder’s drafting of Mitchell was slightly surprising because they already had a talented run ‘n shoot gunslinger in Kerwin Bell.) Mitchell played well that season and led the team to World Bowl II where they lost to the eventual champion Sacramento Surge. Scott returned to the Dolphins and saw starting duty for Miami in 1993- playing so well that he would bolt in free agency for Detroit in the off-season that year.  Initially struggling upon his arrival, Mitchell adjusted to the offense and reclaimed the starting position with a vengeance in 1995. He was with the Lions when they made the playoffs in 1994, 1995, and 1997.  Mitchell would play for the Ravens in 1999 and then finished his career in Cincinnati (2000-2001).  Scott continued to be involved in football and was hired in 2010 to coach for Springville High School in Utah.

I wandered onto the field before the game and picked up Scott’s autograph on his Action Packed 1990 and Score 1990 card. It was a lazy day, and the security didn’t care. As the team hadn’t even started warm ups, I thought it would be okay. Scott rolled his eyes at me as he signed, but then again he may have been looking down at me as he is 6″6′.

After I read his Wikipedia entry, I was able to do the rest of the research to locate Scott at Springville High School. It only took about 4 months for a response from him which was at that time during my return to collecting- quite a wait.

NFL      Games 99   Att  2346   Comp  1301  Pct  55.5
Yds  15692  TD 95  Int  81

WLAF  Games 10   Att  361      Comp  201    Pct  55.7
Yds    2213  TD 12  Int 7